Free-moN Staging Yard - 2'x10'

MC Fujiwara Apr 23, 2012

  1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Same cooking school my wife attended? Ha ha.

    Noting that Magic Water creeping, I am wondering if the scenery tends to wick it up some as well?
     
  2. Ryan Wilkerson

    Ryan Wilkerson TrainBoard Member

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    I like the addition MC. Can't wait to stage some locomotives on it for some photos!
     
  3. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    Well, it's cured.
    While it creeped a couple inches to each side, after curing it's not as shiny as when wet.
    Actually makes a nice slight contrast with a slightly darker "ground" around the banks.
    To cut the shine that remains, I remembered an old trick I figured out a long time ago: sprinkle some dirt on the shiny area under the grass and then use an old toothbrush to rub it in.
    After vacuuming up the wayward grains:

    [​IMG]

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    It's actually a lot less shiny in person.
    So a few new tufts and adding some watercress leaves (brush grass tops with white glue and sprinkle AMSI light green fine ground foam), I think we'll be good to go.
    Time to attach the guard rails!

    Thanks for looking.
     
  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Going back to my question of a couple posts back, beyond it's own tendency to creep, do you think the scenery also aids that process by wicking up some of the water?

    How much of a headache would it be to install scenery along the water's edge, after the water has cured, instead of beforehand?
     
  5. VIARailfan

    VIARailfan TrainBoard Member

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    What it the weight restriction for the bridge?????
     
  6. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    The real dirt I use definitely wicks up some of the Magic Water, as does any groundfoam and even the tufts along the banks.

    You can install scenery after the pour, but I've found that misting with alcohol creates a milky effect on top of the water, and you definitely don't want any diluted white glue dripping down onto the water surface.
    You can also bring the scenery up close to the water pour area, pour the water, and then after it cures touch up around the banks.

    If you're modeling smooth water, you can also use a piece of glass and then glue the bank dirt directly on top.
    Or, after doing scenery, just use paint and layers of gloss acrylic to build up faster-moving water.

    Modge Podge, I've found, looks good at first but quickly picks up stray junk and embeds it.


    The bridge looks a bit rickity, but I'm sure a 3-loco consist of SD-70MACs pulling a 70-car train could roll over it just fine.
    The don't build 'em like they use to :)
     
  7. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    Finally finished the transition module scene with trestle.
    Added walkways, bushes and a bunch of miner's lettuce near the banks (helps break up the line created from the Magic Water creeping into the groundcover).
    So here's some outdoor photos with the new Bachmann 2-6-0 (straight out of the box, no weathering or MT905 coupler replacement or anything yet):

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    I think it turned out alrighty, but any suggestions for improvement are always appreciated.

    Now on to building more turnouts for the storage yard!

    Thanks for looking.
     
  8. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hard to improve on near perfection MC !! Only thing that might need being done is 'weathering' the bents. They look too shiney and new IMHO. ;-)
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Suggestions? Certainly none from here. I'm just waiting to see what you create next!
     
  10. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I think the third bush from the right needs to be moved over by 2.7 mm :)

    OK - real suggestion, and don't ask me how to do it in N, but one thing that tends to be missing in these scenes is waterfowl. How about some ducks, Canada Geese, etc? When I walk along the creek trail, there are always fowl in the stream, especially under the trestle. (And, when you figure out how to do it, make some for me!)
     
  11. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Fabulous, as usual!
    Where did the cars come from?
    Otto
     
  12. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks!

    Otto: those are 20-ton coal hoppers designed by Chris Schmuck (Chris333 on the forums) and offered by Republic Locomotive Works.
    A few NBW and handgrabs, a little weight in the bottom and then some coal poured in, and you can "superdetail" them:

    [​IMG]

    They're offered as Nn3 cars, but I just reamed the bolster holes out a little and then mounted N-scale archbar trucks.
    Couplers are MTL 905 Z-scale body mount.

    Cheers to Chris Schmuck for a great laser-cut kit!
    And if you don't know Chris' work, check out many of his amazing projects and layouts here!
    [His scratched N-scale Camelback is one of my favorites, of many!]
     
  13. unclesaxman09

    unclesaxman09 TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry this is way late, but I live here and have explored this island many times. Although there is not much left other than the bridges and concrete foundation of an inspection pit. Lynchburg is an awesome place for rail fans. At one point we had three dif. roads coming and merging here. I have made a planned adaptation to the picture above. It does not incorporate Island yard, but the canal and freight house in the lower center. Here is a link to my track plan when I asked for a little feedback http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?139820-Feedback-on-Track-Plan
     
  14. Cajonpassfan

    Cajonpassfan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks, MC, didn't know those cars were Chris'. Of course I know his work, and I am in awe, like most of us...
    Regards, Otto K.
     
  15. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Rick....

    You could probably get some n scale pigeons off Shapeways...

    http://www.shapeways.com/model/499052/n-scale-1-160-pigeons-set-of-121.html?li=productBox-search

    Sand down the bottoms so they sit like ducks sitting in water...and paint em up as Mallards or such. They are so tiny someone would need an optivisor to see what they really are...lol. Just a thought
     
  16. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Very cool, George! 121 n-scale birds for $8.50
     
  17. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yea...I read about the 'pigeons' on another post and figure they could be used for just about any bird....even ducks....lol
     
  18. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    Good call on the birds & ducks.
    Hmmm... this is tern-ing into a pretty fowl thread :)
     
  19. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Will have to try the water, when i get that far, thanx for the quick answer!

    I do believe you are beginning to get an ear for corny humor! Been into the vinyard ? :)
     
  20. MC Fujiwara

    MC Fujiwara TrainBoard Member

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    Been working on the 12" x 8' folding storage yard that attaches to Effett Yard.
    Some progress picts over the last week:

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    All the turnouts will be controlled by slide switches.
    The slide switches for the cross over (end of runaround) needed to be fitted partially under the track, as there's not much space.
    Tracks are at 1 1/4" centers.

    Here's the clearance when folded up:

    [​IMG]

    Ar 5" wide, should fit in the car.
    Should.
     

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